Teach For All’s Network Connectors initiative was launched in May 2020 to support participants and alumni of network partners in becoming an interconnected global community of changemakers. The inaugural cohort of 51 Network Connectors from 23 different countries are working to build stronger cross-border connections and learning opportunities between network participants and alumni across the network, to foster collaboration among them, and to help spread knowledge and innovations around the world.
Check out this article ‘Network Connectors: Connecting From the Heart‘ written by one of the Network Connectors, Flora from Teach for America to understand more about this program. However in a nutshell, this program has just finished Phase 1 – Getting to Know One Another and now we are on Phase 2 – Global Initiatives and Projects.
3 of our beloved alumni were chosen to be part of this program, Amanda Navaratnam ’17, Fatahul Nizam ’17 & Kula Vijayakumar ’18. to represent the Teach for Malaysia alumni community.
Let’s hear some of their thoughts about their experience with the program thus far.
1. What made you sign up for Network Connectors?
“The opportunity to connect with educators across the world! I wanted to understand what other people across the world saw as challenges in education and how it compared to the Malaysian experience.”
Kula ’18
“To be very honest, initially I didn’t really think about signing up because I thought that there were many other alumni in our community who could probably do a better job at representing Malaysia to the wider global network. 2 days before the deadline, during the MCO, I had a thought “why close a door of opportunity before even trying?” That prompted me to give it a shot and apply for it. To my utter surprise, I got in and here I am.”
Amanda ’17
2. How has the experience been like?
“It’s been meaningful! It made me identify with the concept of the global south in a very meaningful way. Many of the challenges we face here exist elsewhere. We’re given the unique opportunity to look at the education system elsewhere in the world through the eyes of a local!”
Kula ’18
“Amazing! Personally I love connecting with people and having the opportunity to get to know many different people from many countries is absolutely incredible. I tried to make it a point to have a virtual tea session one-on-one with all the 51 network connectors. Something like 50 First Dates, haha. Throughout the program thus far, we’ve had massive group calls, mini idea circles and even casual virtual game sessions.
Amanda ’17
“Truly love and appreciate the ideas, vibe, thoughts, and laughter that we have.”
Fatah ’17
3. What have you discovered or learnt from these connections?
“That we can accomplish so much if we talk to each other and we work together. How much stronger would our voices be if we voiced it out collectively?”
Kula ’18
“That though we may be in various regions of the world, the education systemic injustices that we face are not all that different. I’ve heard stories for these alumni from South America and Europe that share similar struggles to what we face in our own nation. But of course, there are some mind-blowing stories too. Like how some alumni have already become principals in their schools or that a classroom could have up to 50-60 students or working in government schools is not even a possibility.
Amanda ’17
“I learnt about how we can increase awareness and a sense of belonging to the Teach For All global network with participants and alumni, how we can foster more cross-border connections between participants and alumni from different network partners in the Teach For All network, and how we can create connections that foster collaborations and learning between participants and alumni, that will positively impact students and communities around the world.”
Fatah ’17
4. What is your next step with the Network Connectors program?
“I’m currently a part of a project to change how educational projects are funded and incubated. Non-profit projects, like our initiatives, could potentially go much further if given the right funding and guidance. Teach For All, and by extension Teach For Malaysia, is in the perfect place to encourage educational innovation. We’re able to connect people to the right mentors and guides alongside the funding we would be able to provide. I’m super excited to work on it – we have a representative on every continent!”
Kula ’18
“Our next step is to work together on a project or two in collaboration with some of the network connectors. I’m working on two projects. The first is Talk Tour where we create a platform for alumni from different networks to get to know one another, their culture and experiences. The second is Language Exchange Opportunity which aims to reduce language barriers by learning and teaching one another’s language to the wider network.
Amanda ’17
The Network Connectors is definitely a great way to feel even more connected and engaged to the wider global Teach for All community. Do reach out to these alumni for more information of any projects, initiatives or opportunities that you would like to be a part of.
“We are all rainbow connections, across the globe, that someday us dreamers will find.”
© August 2020 – Amanda Navaratnam ’17
Teach For Malaysia Alumni Network 